Ferry to Sicily
Cagliari - Palermo
Island to island: the only ferry link between Sardinia and Sicily, overnight and with a vehicle deck
- Once a week with Grimaldi Lines, departing late afternoon, arriving early morning
- Around 12 hours crossing on the Europa Palace, cabins and reclining seats on board
- Fast check-in in Cagliari and Palermo, one hour ahead on foot, two hours with a vehicle
What you should know about the crossing
Table of Contents
Getting there & terminal
In Cagliari, Grimaldi Lines departs from the historic port on Via Roma; the operator's ticket office is on Via Riva di Ponente. The port borders the old town and the railway station directly; by car, follow the signs in the city towards the Porto and the ferry berths.
On the other side, the ferry docks in Palermo at Molo Puntone or Molo Quattro Venti, and Grimaldi's ticket office is at Molo Puntone. You reach the port through the gates Varco Cristoforo Colombo (Via dell'Arsenale), Varco Amari or Varco Santa Lucia (both on Via Francesco Crispi). The operator can change the berth at short notice for operational reasons, so watch the signage.
Check-in & departure
On this route, both ports use fast check-in: instead of going to a counter, you show your ticket to Grimaldi staff directly at the boarding area. Without a vehicle you need to be there one hour ahead, with a vehicle two hours ahead. Arrive later and you lose your right to travel, even with a valid ticket. In peak season, allow extra time for queuing at the entrance.
All passengers need valid, unexpired ID, including children and babies. The names on the ticket must match the IDs, and the number plate must match the vehicle.
On board
Grimaldi uses the Europa Palace. You can choose deck passage, reclining seats, or inside and outside cabins with their own bathroom; with fast check-in, you collect your cabin key on board at reception or from a machine. On board there's a restaurant, self-service and a bar, with satellite Wi-Fi packages for a fee. Mobile signal at sea runs on expensive maritime roaming, so switch off data roaming if you don't want a surprise on your bill.
The vehicle deck is closed during the crossing. Take anything you need for the night with you when you board.
Vehicle, bike & pets
Grimaldi Lines takes cars up to 1.90 metres in height (up to four or five metres long), motorhomes and minibuses up to nine metres long and 4.20 metres high, motorbikes, scooters, bicycles and trailers. The overall size is measured including roof box, bike rack and towbar; get the category wrong and you won't be allowed to board, with no refund. Bicycles travel free but must be included in the booking, and are wheeled on foot through the vehicle lane to the ship. Report LPG vehicles when boarding; they park in a separate area. There's no electrical hook-up for vehicles.
Dogs and cats travel in the kennels on board or, with the Pet in Cabin service, in your cabin, up to three animals per cabin. Leads and muzzles are required on the outside decks, and a carrier is compulsory in the seating areas. Dimensions and gas cylinders: Motorhome on the ferry; documents for dogs and cats: Taking your dog on the ferry.
Arrival & onward travel
Palermo awaits you in the morning. From Molo Puntone you're on Via Francesco Crispi and in the centre within a few minutes; Palermo Centrale station is around two kilometres away. By car, the A19 reaches Catania in a good two hours, the A29 reaches Trapani in an hour, and you can reach Cefalù in just under an hour.
Tickets & fares
Booking is done through the booking window above; the displayed from-price comes live from the operator's data and changes with season, accommodation and occupancy. Grimaldi offers discounts for children up to twelve, seniors from 60, and residents and natives of Sardinia and Sicily.
Cancellation under the standard fare is tiered: up to 30 days before departure the operator keeps ten per cent, after that the deduction rises in stages, and from the day before departure and for no-shows nothing is refunded. Special fares are generally non-refundable. Date or time can be changed at most twice.
Cagliari - Palermo
Once a week from Sardinia to Sicily
Anyone wanting to combine Sardinia and Sicily in one trip can't avoid this line: Grimaldi Lines sails once a week from Cagliari to Palermo, overnight in around twelve hours. Departure is in the late afternoon, arrival early morning, so you have the whole of your first day in Sicily ahead of you.
Because there's only one departure a week, you plan your trip around it. Vehicle spaces sell out early in season, and a cabin is almost always worth booking for the overnight crossing.
- Crossing
- approx. 12 hrs
- Operator
- Grimaldi Lines
- Frequency
- once a week
- From-price
- €34
Next departures
FAQ Cagliari - Palermo
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Cagliari-Palermo ferry route
How long does the ferry from Cagliari to Palermo take?+
Around twelve hours. Grimaldi Lines departs Cagliari in the late afternoon and reaches Palermo early in the morning. You'll find the departure day for your week in the timetable.
How often does the ferry run between Cagliari and Palermo?+
Once a week in each direction. If you miss the boat, you wait seven days, so build in a buffer for your journey there. In summer, vehicle spaces in particular sell out early.
When do I need to be at the port?+
Cagliari and Palermo use Grimaldi Lines' fast check-in: you show your ticket directly at the boarding area, no counter needed. Without a vehicle, be there one hour ahead; with a vehicle, two hours. After that, there's no guarantee of travel, even with a ticket. All passengers need valid ID, including children.
How much does the Cagliari - Palermo ferry cost?+
The price depends on season, accommodation (deck passage, seat, cabin) and vehicle; the displayed from-price comes live from the operator's data. Roughly what a vehicle and cabin cost is in the price overview.
Can I bring a car or motorhome?+
Yes. Grimaldi Lines takes cars up to 1.90 metres in height, motorhomes and minibuses up to nine metres long and 4.20 metres high, motorbikes, bicycles and trailers. Bicycles travel free but must be included in the booking. Details on dimensions and gas cylinders: Motorhome on the ferry.
Can my dog come on the ferry?+
Yes, with registration at booking. Dogs and cats travel in the kennels on board or, for a surcharge, with the Pet in Cabin service in your cabin. Leads and muzzles are required on the outside decks. Documents and rules: Taking your dog on the ferry.